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Putin residence drone attack dismissed as ‘implausible’ as Ukraine accusations mount

Escalating claims by Russia that Ukraine tried to hit a residence used by President Vladimir Putin with drones have been dismissed by a top military drone expert, who called the alleged attack ‘hard to fathom’ and tactically implausible.

Cameron Chell’s comments came as Moscow doubled down on accusations Kyiv has flatly denied, with the drone industry leader arguing the alleged strike announced Monday runs counter to Ukraine’s drone tactics.

Chell, the CEO and co-founder of Draganfly, a drone manufacturer that supplies to the U.S. Department of Defense and allied militaries, including Ukraine, said Russia’s claims lack credibility.

‘What really makes things usually very signature about Ukraine is that they’re always incredibly clever about how they use drones,’ Chell told Fox News Digital.

‘They are clever from a cost perspective — let’s call it an efficiency perspective — but also very clever in their tactics,’ he added.

‘I find it hard to fathom that this drone attack even happened on Putin’s residence or that it was something that Ukraine orchestrated for a number of reasons,’ Chell said.

‘To get over the top of Putin’s residence, for one, the drones would not have been launched from a very long distance away,’ he added.

Chell’s comments came as Russia doubled down Tuesday on accusations that Ukraine attempted to strike a presidential palace in the Novgorod region using drones, allegedly to disrupt peace efforts.

Kyiv dismissed the allegation, with the timing also raising questions given the upbeat tone of a recent meeting between President Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Florida.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov claimed late Monday that 91 drones were intercepted en route to Putin’s residence on the shores of Lake Valdai.

His statement appeared to contradict earlier Defense Ministry tallies, which said 89 drones were shot down over eight regions, including 18 over Novgorod, later adding another 23.

Only after Lavrov spoke did the ministry allege that 49 drones intercepted over Bryansk, nearly 300 miles away, were also targeting Valdai.

Asked about wreckage, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said it was ‘a matter for our military,’ while calling Zelenskyy’s denial and Western skepticism ‘completely insane.’

Peskov said Russia’s diplomatic stance would be toughened, and Duma Speaker Vyacheslav Volodin vowed there could be ‘no forgiveness’ for Zelenskyy.

Chell said the story simply does not add up. ‘To attack Putin’s residence, you need long-range, very fast-moving drones,’ he said.

He added that for drones that small to reach such a site, they would have had to be launched from a much closer location, likely inside Russia itself.

‘They would have to be within about 10 kilometers [6.2 miles] — or maybe, at most, 30 kilometers — of Putin’s residence,’ Chell said.

‘That facility where Putin lives would also be incredibly secure, and so to have a number of lower-cost, slower-moving drones coming in on that facility would be very un-Ukrainian,’ Chell said.

‘Ukraine also doesn’t announce when they’re going to show up,’ he added.

Chell also noted that night operations would rule out GPS- or AI-based navigation due to jamming and visibility limits, making the launch of dozens of drones even less plausible.

‘Apparently the thing was at night, so that’s very difficult for machine vision or AI mapping software,’ he said. ‘So, you know, it definitely wasn’t using GPS, because it would have been jammed. There are just a bunch of things that don’t add up.’

Politically, Chell argued, Ukraine has nothing to gain. ‘They’re bold, but right in the middle of peace talks — when they need Trump on side — it makes no sense,’ he said. ‘Ukraine is just politically too smart to have done that.’

Zelenskyy on Monday also called the claim a complete fabrication, accusing Moscow of laying the groundwork for further attacks. 

Lavrov warned of retaliation but said Russia would continue talks with Washington.

Trump also said he learned of the alleged attack directly from Putin and was ‘very angry about it.’ Asked whether there was evidence, Trump replied, ‘We’ll find out.’

Fox News Digital has reached out to the Kremlin for comment.

This post appeared first on FOX NEWS
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DOJ’s second-in-command could be central to ‘vindictive’ prosecution of Abrego Garcia, judge rules

A federal judge ordered the Trump administration to produce documents related to its decision to investigate and bring criminal charges against Salvadoran migrant Kilmar Abrego Garcia while he was detained at a maximum-security prison in El Salvador earlier this year – signaling what is sure to be an action-packed evidentiary hearing in Nashville next month. 

The order, filed by U.S. Judge Waverly Crenshaw earlier this month and released to the public Tuesday afternoon, requires the Justice Department to produce all relevant documents to defense lawyers pertaining to its decision earlier this year to open an investigation and seek criminal charges against Abrego Garcia for conduct stemming from a 2022 traffic stop. 

The Justice Department opened the criminal investigation and presented the case to a grand jury earlier this year, when Abrego Garcia was detained at CECOT, and at the same time as lawyers for the Trump administration officials were telling a separate federal judge in Maryland that they were powerless to bring him back from Salvadoran custody. 

The new order stops short of compelling any government witnesses to testify for next month’s hearing, including testimony from Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche, whose remarks – for months – have been at the center of the vindictive prosecution effort pursued by Abrego Garcia’s defense team in Tennessee.

Abrego Garcia’s attorneys have argued Blanche played ‘a leading role’ in the decision to prosecute him, a notion Blanche’s office has vehemently dismissed.

They had also honed in on the involvement of Blanche’s associate, Aakash Singh. 

‘The cornerstone of Abrego’s motion to dismiss is that the decision to prosecute him was in retaliation for his success in the Maryland District Court,’ Crenshaw said in the newly unsealed ruling. 

‘Indeed, at the time of Abrego’s arrest, Blanche linked Abrego’s criminal charges to his successful civil lawsuit in Maryland. Specifically, some of the documents suggest not only that McGuire was not a solitary decision-maker, but he, in fact, reported to others in DOJ and the decision to prosecute Abrego may have been a joint decision, with others who may or may not have acted with improper motivation.’ 

U.S. District Judge Waverly Crenshaw had ruled in October that Abrego Garcia had established a ‘reasonable likelihood’ that the criminal case against him was the result of vindictive prosecution by the Justice Department, a determination that shifted the burden to the government to rebut ahead of the criminal trial, and ordered the Trump administration to produce for the court internal documents and government witnesses to testify about its decision to bring the case. 

Lawyers for the Justice Department fiercely resisted efforts to produce government witnesses or documents, arguing that the documents should be protected by attorney-client privilege and work-product privilege, among other things. 

The evidentiary hearing is slated to take place on Jan. 28.

Crenshaw separately canceled the criminal trial date for Abrego Garcia, though the update is likely more a procedural one than a reflection of the status of the case.

Abrego Garcia’s status has been at the center of a legal and political maelstrom for nearly 11 months, after he was arrested and deported to his home country of El Salvador, in violation of a 2019 withholding of removal order. 

This is a breaking news story. Check back for updates.

This post appeared first on FOX NEWS
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Rivers set to sit out Colts’ finale, ending remarkable comeback story

Philip Rivers’ remarkable return to the NFL has come to an end just as rapidly as it first materialized.

The Indianapolis Colts quarterback, who came out of retirement three weeks ago to rejoin his former team following a five-year break, is expected to sit out the team’s season finale Sunday against the Houston Texans, according to multiple reports. Rookie Riley Leonard will instead lead the offense.

With that decision, one of the most unlikely comebacks in NFL history is over.

The Colts were in dire straits in early December when starting quarterback Daniel Jones was lost for the season to a torn Achilles. Already spiraling after a sizzling start to the season, the Colts were without a true backup as second-stringer Anthony Richardson Sr. remained on injured reserve with a fractured orbital bone suffered in October.

With Leonard also ailing from a knee injury, Colts coach Shane Steichen and general manager Chris Ballard reached out to Rivers to see if the 44-year-old – who taught a version of the play-caller’s offense in his role as coach of St. Michael Catholic High School in Fairhope, Alabama – would be interested in returning. In the span of a few days, Rivers signed with the team, began practicing and took over as the starter for the Week 15 showdown against the Seattle Seahawks.

Rivers would go 0-3 as a starter, and the Colts became the first team in 30 years to miss the playoffs after starting the season 8-2. But the veteran signal-caller overcame limitations in his arm strength and mobility by manipulating coverages and making quick decisions.

On the season, Rivers finished with 544 passing yards, four touchdowns and three interceptions as well as a 63% completion rate.

The Colts were eliminated from playoff contention on Saturday, one day prior to the team’s 23-17 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars. Despite that, Rivers still played so as not to put Leonard into action after the quarterback did not receive starting reps throughout practice that week.

Rivers, who had been a semifinalist for the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s 2026 class but now must wait another five years before becoming eligible again, has made clear that he will not entertain playing in 2026 and instead will return to his high-school coaching post. Still, independent of the results, the run is one he will remember fondly.

“If this is the last (game), again, I told you guys I wasn’t going to have any regrets about coming back – and I don’t, other than us not winning,” Rivers said Sunday. “It’s been an absolute blast for three weeks.”

This post appeared first on USA TODAY
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Arsenal vs Aston Villa live score updates and highlights

League-leading Arsenal hosts third-place Aston Villa in London on Tuesday, Dec. 30, a crucial Premier League clash before the calendar flips to 2026. The match will mark the halfway point in the season for each team with Arsenal looking to get revenge for a last-gasp 2-1 loss suffered at Villa Park earlier in December.

‘I have a few ideas and things that we have to do better,’ Arsenal manager Miguel Arteta told reporters. ‘And it was quite cruel, as well, the way we lost it.’

Aston Villa has won 11 matches in a row – including eight in the Premier League – under manager Unai Emery and are very much in the title race, trailing Arsenal by three points and second-place Manchester City by one entering Tuesday.

How to watch Arsenal vs Aston Villa: Time, TV channel, live stream

  • Time: 3:15 p.m. ET
  • TV channel: NBC
  • Live stream: Peacock

Watch Arsenal-Aston Villa on Peacock!

Gabriel Jesus goal! Arsenal 4, Aston Villa 0

Minutes after replacing Viktor Gyökeres, Gabriel Jesus bent a shot past a helpless Emi Martinez for Arsenal’s fourth goal, turning this one into a laugher in North London.

Leandro Trossard goal! Arsenal 3, Aston Villa 0

Arsenal looks to have clinched three points with Leandro Trossard firing home from the edge of the penalty area after a frantic passage of play in the 69th minute.

A VAR check confirmed that two different Arsenal players were not offside in the buildup, delaying the official celebrations inside the Emirates Stadium.

Martin Zubimendi goal! Arsenal 2, Aston Villa 0

Minutes after going ahead on Gabriel’s goal, Martin Zubimendi poked home another, getting on the end of a masterful through ball from Martin Odegaard.

Aston Villa is losing the plot in the first 10 minutes of the second half, succumbing to Arsenal’s high press with a handful of bad giveaways.

Gabriel goal! Arsenal 1, Aston Villa 0

Who else but Gabriel? Making his full return from injury, Arsenal’s mighty central defender scored from a corner kick just minutes into the second half to give the Gunners a 1-0 lead.

Aston Villa goalkeeper Emi Martinez wanted a foul called on Gabriel, who had positioned himself in front of the goalkeeper as the ball came in from Bukayo Saka’s corner, but a VAR check confirmed the goal.

James McGinn on for Villa to start second half

Aston Villa made a substitution to begin the second half, bringing on James McGinn for Amadou Onana, who picked up a knock before the break.

Halftime: Arsenal 0, Aston Villa 0

Scoreless after 45 minutes in London, with Aston Villa looking the more likely to score on the counter attack.

Arsenal’s Mikel Merino and Aston Villa’s Morgan Rogers were each shown a yellow card in the final minutes of the half. Merino had a rough first half stepping into the midfield for the injured Declan Rice, struggling to deal with Villa’s 6-foot-5 Amadou Onana.

Dua Lipa in the house, Arsenal-Villa scoreless

Arsenal have enjoyed the majority of possession in the first 35 minutes, but Villa has created a pair of good chances. Leandro Trossard has looked lively on the left wing for the league-leading Gunners, who enter the match three points ahead of third-placed Villa.

Dua Lipa is in attendance at the Emirates. Is the worldwide icon a good luck charm? She was also in the house for Arsenal’s famous 3-0 win over Real Madrid in last season’s Champions League quarterfinals.

Arsenal vs Aston Villa underway in London

The showdown at the Emirates Stadium has kicked off with Arsenal pressing the visitors high in the first five minutes. Gabriel returns to start alongside William Saliba after several weeks on the shelf.

Arsenal vs Aston Villa lineups

Declan Rice injury for Arsenal

Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice is expected to miss Tuesday’s match against Aston Villa after sustaining a knee injury on Saturday in a win over Brighton, according to multiple reports Rice played out-of-position at right back in that game and seems to have picked up a knock but played the full 90 minutes.

Regarded as one of the top midfielders in the world, Rice could be replaced by Mikel Merino or Christian Nørgaard in the lineup at the Emirates Stadium. Signed over the summer, Nørgaard has featured sparingly in his first season with Arsenal.

Arsenal vs. Aston Villa prediction, odds

Martin Odegaard on ‘unusual’ rematch vs. Aston Villa

A Premier League scheduling quirk has Arsenal and Aston Villa facing each other for the second time in less than a month, and Gunners captain Martin Odegaard says his team will use the recent defeat as ‘motivation.’

“We played Aston Villa a few weeks ago and it’s unusual to play a team twice so close together in the league. It feels more like a two-legged Champions League or cup tie, so this gives us a good chance to face them again soon after the defeat at Villa Park.” Odegaard said in the captain’s notes of Arsenal’s matchday program.

“We can use that as motivation. We feel like we could have won that away game & now we’ve got the opportunity to show that tonight. We know the quality they have & we saw that in the first game, but as always, we focus on ourselves.”

Premier League games today

  • Burnley vs. Newcastle, 2:30 p.m. ET – Peacock
  • Chelsea vs. Bournemouth, 2:30 p.m. – USA Network
  • Nottingham Forest vs. Everton, 2:30 p.m. – Peacock
  • West Ham vs. Brighton & Hove, 2:30 p.m. – Peacock
  • Arsenal vs. Aston Villa, 3:15 p.m. – NBCSN / Peacock
  • Manchester United vs. Wolves, 3:15 p.m. – Peacock

Premier League standings

(Entering Tuesday, Dec. 30)

  1. Arsenal – 42 points
  2. Manchester City – 40
  3. Aston Villa – 39
  4. Liverpool – 32
  5. Chelsea – 29 (+11 goal difference)
  6. Manchester United – 29 (+4 GD)
This post appeared first on USA TODAY
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Pro Football HOF trims 2026 class to 15 modern-era finalists

  • Drew Brees, Larry Fitzgerald, Frank Gore and Jason Witten are the first-ballot Hall of Fame candidates.
  • Philip Rivers, who returned to play for the Indianapolis Colts in 2025, is no longer eligible.
  • The final Class of 2026 inductees will be revealed in January before Super Bowl 60.

One step away.

The Pro Football Hall of Fame revealed its 15 modern-day player finalists for the Class of 2026 on Tuesday, Dec. 30, setting up another round of intrigue on the path to football immortality.

The group includes four first-ballot nominees and four candidates who, as mandated by the Hall’s bylaws, automatically advanced to this stage of the process after reaching the final seven selections for last year’s class.

➤ The first-ballot picks: Drew Brees, Larry Fitzgerald, Frank Gore and Jason Witten.

 ➤ The automatic finalists: Willie Anderson, Torry Holt, Luke Kuechly and Adam Vinateri.

➤ Advancing to the final round for the first time: Kevin Williams.

➤ Other returning finalists: Jahri Evans, Eli Manning, Terrell Suggs, Reggie Wayne, Darren Woodson and Marshal Yanda.

The Hall’s 50-member selection will meet before Super Bowl 60 to consider the modern-era players in addition to finalists from the coach (Bill Belichick), contributor (Robert Kraft) and seniors (Ken Anderson, Roger Craig and L.C. Greenwood) categories, to constitute the class that will be enshrined at Canton, Ohio in early August.

The committee can elect up to five modern-day players for induction, provided each receives at least 80% of the final vote. In balloting separate from the modern-era player slate, the committee can elect up to three of the five finalists from the other categories.

The results of the voting, and newest Hall of Fame class, will be revealed during the NFL Honors awards show on Feb. 5 at the Palace of Fine Arts in San Francisco.

There is no set number of inductees, but the bylaws stipulate that the class contains a minimum of four and maximum of eight enshrinees. The Class of 2025 consisted of just four members – Eric Allen, Jared Allen, Antonio Gates and Sterling Sharpe – to mark the smallest class in 20 years.

As usual, the process will be rife with intense debate. While each of the first-ballot nominees carry impeccable credentials, wide receivers Holt and Wayne are finalists for the seventh time. Woodson, meanwhile, is a finalist for the fourth time – in his 18th year of eligibility.

This post appeared first on USA TODAY
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USA TODAY Sports unveils the 2025 ALL-USA National Football Team

The longstanding high school football All-America team, which first kicked off in 1982, returns to the national stage.

Following a season of triumph and record-setting moments, of joys and heartbreaks, of championships and legends, USA TODAY Sports unveils its 2025 ALL-USA National Football Team.

Players from across the country who earned regional honors were finalists for the national recognition, which honors the best players of the 2025 high school football season. These selections highlight not only skill and achievement but also the toughness, leadership, and competitive fire that embody the spirit of the game.

Congratulations to all who were selected to a regional or national team.

2025 ALL-USA National Football Team

The All-America high school football team was selected by the USA TODAY High School Sports staff. Each All-American athlete on the national roster was first selected on the ALL-USA East, ALL-USA West, ALL-USA Midwest, ALL-USA Southeast, or ALL-USA Southwest regional football teams.

Team Captains and Coach of the Year

Offensive Captain — Keisean Henderson, Sr., Legacy the School of Sport Sciences (Spring, Texas)

Defensive Captain — Cincere Johnson, Sr., Glenville (Cleveland, Ohio)

Head Coach — Carson Palmer, Santa Margarita (Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif.)

First Team Offense

Quarterback: Keisean Henderson, Sr., Legacy the School of Sport Sciences (Spring, Texas)

Keisean Henderson was the most dominant offensive player in high school football this year, which earned him USA TODAY Sports Offensive Player of the Year honors. He accounted for more than 400 yards and/or six touchdowns in seven of the 10 games he played. He had an unimpeachable 649-yard, six-touchdown performance. By passing for 3,880 yards at a 74.5% clip with 45 touchdowns and running for 522 yards on 74 carries and 10 scores on the ground, Henderson was unparalleled among quarterbacks this season.

Running Back: Ezavier Crowell, Sr., Jackson (Ala.)

Ezavier Crowell hits like a truck with a 5-foot-11, 205-pound frame. But he plays like a truck that can hurdle defenders and juke his way around would-be tacklers on a dime. He accumulated 2,632 rushing yards and 35 touchdowns in 14 games, running for more than 300 yards in three of the games, and the only game in which he didn’t reach the 100-yard mark was a 50-7 blowout in which he scored four touchdowns on 10 carries.

Running Back: David Gabriel-Georges, Jr., Baylor (Chattanooga, Tenn.)

David Gabriel-Georges battled through injury to put up some of the most impressive rushing lines of the season when it counted most. In the regular season game against rival and reigning two-time champion McCallie, the junior rushed for 280 yards and three touchdowns. In the semifinals rematch, he carried the ball 43 times for 435 yards and seven touchdowns, guiding the Baylor to an eventual title. In 11 games, he had 162 carries for 1,753 yards and 26 touchdowns.

Wide Receiver: Jermaine Bishop, Sr., Willis (Texas)

Jermaine Bishop is one of the most versatile and athletic players in the country, double-dutying as an elite wide receiver and cornerback. On offense, he had 120 receptions for 1,920 receiving yards and 20 touchdowns, and added 424 yards and eight more touchdowns on 45 carries (most of which came in a 258-rushing-yard, four-rushing-touchdown game in September). He had 344 total yards and four touchdowns in the regional playoff round and 227 total yards and three touchdowns in the quarterfinals loss to eventual champion DeSoto (Texas).

Wide Receiver: Roye Oliver III, Soph., Hamilton (Chandler, Ariz.)

The sole sophomore to earn ALL-USA recognition, Roye Oliver III needed only eight games to break the Arizona 6A record for most receiving touchdowns in a season. In the game, he broke the previous record of 24, he recorded 210 receiving yards and two touchdowns on seven receptions against eventual champion Basha (Chandler, Ariz.) Oliver continued to tack on over the next four games, finishing with 1,893 yards and 29 touchdowns on 92 receptions. He also returned two punts for touchdowns.

Tight End: Ian Premer, Sr., Great Bend (Kan.)

A 6-foot-5, 220-pound tight end who can run the ball as well as catch is impossible to stop. Ian Premer had 40 receptions for 734 yards and 14 touchdowns, 56 carries for 620 yards and 14 touchdowns, returned a handful of punts, and had six interceptions — including two pick-sixes — on defense. Premer proved why he’s 247Sports’ No. 1 tight end and is set to take his talents to Notre Dame.

Flex: Landen Williams-Callis, Jr., Randle (Texas)

With 3,502 rushing yards and 59 rushing touchdowns, few had a better season than Landen Williams-Callis. The junior established himself as one of the best backs in the country, rushing for more than 200 yards in 10 games and five or more touchdowns in six. He led Randle to a 15-1 record and a championship game appearance, in which he had 169 total yards and a score.

Offensive Lineman: Jackson Cantwell, Sr., Nixa (Mo.)

Jackson Cantwell did nothing to disprove his No. 1 position in the USA TODAY High School Sports preseason composite rankings for the class of 2026. The 6-foot-8, 305-pound left tackle had 173 pancake blocks over the first 13 games, an average of more than 13 per outing, and helped the Eagles average 48.6 points per game en route to a 13-1 record and championship appearance.

Offensive Lineman: Lamar Brown, Sr., University Lab (Baton Rouge, La.)

It’s unusual to call a lineman one of the most versatile players in the country, but Lamar Brown’s athleticism, strength, and lateral movement make him a star on both the offensive and defensive sides of the line. From the left side of the offensive line, once he got his hands on a defender, that defender would not get by. The protection he offered helped University Lab go 10-3 and average 39 points per game.

Offensive Lineman: Darius Gray, Sr., St. Christopher’s School (Richmond, Va.)

Darius Gray has the size, strength, speed and athleticism to be an elite protector on the offensive line, dominate the defensive line, and bulldoze through opponents on occasional running back snaps. He has good lateral movement and the strength to push defensive linemen back several yards. The top-ranked IOL by 247Sports, Gray helped St. Christopher’s School go 7-4.

Offensive Lineman: Keenyi Pepe, Sr., IMG Academy (Bradenton, Fla.)

Listed at 6-foot-7, 320-pound offensive tackle, Keenyi Pepe was a key fixture for one of the best teams in the country. Manning IMG Academy’s front line, Pepe helped the 9-0 Ascenders average more than 200 rushing yards per game and provided pocket protection that allowed the quarterbacks to throw only two interceptions all season.

Kicker: Mikey Barth, Sr., Basha (Chandler, Ariz.)

Mikey Barth did everything No. 17 Basha could ask of a kicker, kicking 68 touchbacks in 70 kickoffs, making all 64 PATs, and hitting 14 of 16 field goals — including, and arguably most importantly, the game-winner over Liberty (Peoria, Ariz.) in the semifinals.

First Team Defense

Defensive Lineman: Richard Anderson, Sr., Edna Karr (New Orleans, La.)

Richard Anderson proved himself as one of the top-ranked defensive linemen this season as he helped Edna Karr go undefeated, win the championship, and finish as a top-10 team in the Super 25. Listed at 6-foot-4 and 240 pounds, “Big Rich” was unstoppable, picking up key sacks, returning a fumble for a touchdown, and generally providing pressure and forcing attention that led a defense that allowed less than 12 points per game.

Defensive Lineman: Bryce Perry-Wright, Sr., Buford (Ga.)

Bryce Perry-Wright set the tone on defense for the USA TODAY Sports Super 25 national champion Wolves, recording 50 solo and assisted tackles apiece, 17 tackles for loss and seven sacks to go with three forced fumbles and 26 QB hurries entering the championship game. He has a very effective swim move and uses his speed well to get around the outside and into the backfield.

Defensive Lineman: Deuce Geralds, Sr., Collins Hill (Suwanee, Ga.)

Deuce Geralds’ 37 tackles for loss, 16.5 sacks, 45 quarterback hurries and seven forced fumbles made him one of the most fearsome defensive linemen in the country. He led his team in each of those three stats, plus tackles, and was elite against the best teams in the league, combining for five TFLs, a sack, 9 QB hurries, and two forced fumbles against top-10 teams Grayson and Buford. Geralds set the Georgia High School Association (GHSA) record for career sacks with 51.

Defensive Lineman: Luke Wafle, Sr., Hun School (Princeton, N.J.)

With 45 solo and 55 assisted tackles, 37 tackles for loss, and 23 sacks, Luke Wafle was one of the most disruptive linemen this season. He did significant damage against top-10 national teams St. Frances Academy and IMG Academy, recording a combined eight solo and 14 assisted tackles, eight tackles for loss, and two sacks.

Linebacker: Cincere Johnson, Sr., Glenville (Cleveland, Ohio)

Nobody beelines to the ball like Cincere Johnson, who earned USA TODAY Sports Defensive Player of the Year nod. It doesn’t matter where it is — he will meet you, and he will take you down. This season, he had 185 total tackles, 42 tackles for loss, 13.5 sacks and five forced fumbles, according to his X account.

Linebacker: Tyler Atkinson, Sr., Grayson (Ga.)

A major defensive presence for one of the best teams in the country, Tyler Atkinson had 43 solo and 48 assisted tackles, 27 tackles for loss and 10 sacks to go with 24 QB hurries and two forced fumbles. Grayson, which was ranked No. 1 in the Super 25 for part of the season, went 12-1 and gave up an average of 10.5 points per game.

Linebacker: TJ White, Sr., Jackson Academy (Miss.)

One of the top-ranked linebackers in the country, TJ White recorded 88 tackles, 22 tackles for loss and 12 sacks, according to Gatorade. He had a versatile role in the playbook, and when he attacked the quarterback, his agility and mobility allowed him to finesse — or power — his way through double-teams. With good acceleration, once he gets to his man, he hits hard.

Linebacker: Quinton Cypher, Jr., Millbrook (Raleigh, N.C.)

With 48 tackles for loss and 5.5 sacks, few linebackers were more effective than Quinton Cypher once they got behind the line of scrimmage. Extremely good at reading the field, he had 96 solo tackles, 85 assisted tackles, four interceptions, three forced fumbles, and touchdowns on both sides of the ball. Cypher was also disruptive on special teams.

Cornerback: Jermaine Bishop, Sr., Willis (Texas)

Bishop was a turnover machine on the defensive side of the ball, accumulating four forced fumbles and four interceptions, including a pick-six. This goes with 14 passes defended, nine tackles for loss, and 46 solo and 40 assisted tackles.

Safety: Jireh Edwards, Sr., St. Frances Academy (Baltimore, Md.)

Jireh Edwards had 167 tackles and six interceptions, two of which he returned for touchdowns, according to Gatorade. Behind his presence at defensive back, St. Frances Academy gave up only 87 points in nine games recorded on MaxPreps, four of which were shutouts.

Flex: Jaden Walk-Green, Sr., Centennial (Corona, Calif.)

Jaden Walk-Green had 10 interceptions and four pick-sixes, according to the LA Times. Two picks, one returned for a touchdown, were against Mater Dei, helping Centennial secure an early-season victory against the then-No. 1 team. Walk-Green also contributed with kicking, punting and returning duties for No. 10 Centennial.

Punter: Jimmy Gregg, Sr., University (Morgantown, Wv.)

One of the top-ranked punters in the country, Jimmy Grigg averaged 45.8 yards on his 49 punts, putting 25 of them inside the 20, 13 inside the 10 and not recording a touchback all season.

Second Team Offense

Quarterback — Jett Thomalla, Sr., Millard South (Neb.)

Jett Thomalla’s throws look effortless, despite high-level accuracy on short and deep passes. He amassed 3,484 passing yards and 58 touchdowns on a 72.6% completion rate in 12 games despite playing only half of some as Millard South had an average margin of victory of 57-3. In the championship game, Thomalla went 15-for-21 for 288 yards and seven touchdowns in the first half alone, securing a championship and his position on the ALL-USA team.

Running Back: Ty Keys, Jr., Poplarville (Miss.)

Ty Keys broke out as a junior, racking up 3,285 rushing yards and 45 rushing touchdowns in 13 games. He accounted for 63% of all Poplarville’s offensive yards this season, according to MaxPreps, including a 506-yard, eight-touchdown regular-season game, a 436-yard, seven-touchdown game in the quarterfinals, and nearly willed his team to a semifinals win with 316 yards and two touchdowns, which was 86% of all the team’s yardage.

Running Back: SaRod Baker, Jr., DeSoto (Texas)

SaRod Baker had an excellent regular season, racking up 1,600 yards and 25 touchdowns in 10 games. In the playoffs, he was different. Baker burst out in a way that attracted attention and offers from Div. I teams in the College Football Playoffs as he essentially doubled his season output in the postseason, recording 1,628 rushing yards and 21 touchdowns in six playoff games, according to the Athletic, as he led DeSoto to an impressive championship.

Wide Receiver: CJ Sadler, Sr., Cass Tech (Detroit, Mich.)

CJ Sadler helped Cass Tech achieve national notoriety this season with 65 receptions for 1,583 yards, good for 113 per game, and 32 total touchdowns. Twenty-one TDs were receptions, but two were rushes, one was a pass, one was a pick-six and seven were kick and punt returns.

Wide Receiver: Ethan ‘Boobie’ Feaster, Sr., DeSoto (Texas)

Feaster had some of the best highlight catches of the season, and his skill set is reflected in his stats: He had 85 receptions for 1,676 yards (105 per game) and 18 touchdowns for champion DeSoto. Feaster had 167 receiving yards and two touchdowns in the championship game.

Tight End: Kaiden Prothro, Sr., Bowden (Ga.)

With 85 receptions, 1,115 receiving yards and 27 touchdowns, Kaiden Prothro’s receiving chops rivaled those of WRs. He also showed his hands on defense, where he had three interceptions for GHSA Class A Div. II champion Bowden.

Flex: Cederian Morgan, Sr., Benjamin Russell (Alexander City, Ala.)

With explosive movement and the ability to go up to get the ball, Cederian Morgan showed why he’s one of the top-ranked senior wide receivers. He had 82 receptions for 1,419 yards (101 per game) and 16 touchdowns, including 256 yards and two touchdowns in the quarterfinals and 182 yards and two TDs in the semifinals.

Offensive Lineman: Kaeden Penny, Sr., Bixby (Okla.)

Bixby’s eighth straight championship team averaged 60.4 points per game, and Kaeden Penny’s presence on the offensive line was a key reason why. Still a junior, he has good speed and strength, can get in front of multiple defenders when necessary, and head coach Loren Montgomery called Penny one of the most talented linemen he has coached in his 26 years.

Offensive Lineman: Felix Ojo, Sr., Lake Ridge (Mansfield, Texas)

Felix Ojo has a unique ability to move across the line at the snap of the ball, almost like pre-snap movement for receivers or backs, setting up offensive action that the defensive line isn’t prepared for. His strength opens holes for ball carriers, and he’s able to get hands on multiple defenders to sow chaos downfield.

Offensive Lineman: Kodi Greene, Sr., Mater Dei (Santa Ana, Calif.)

Kodi Greene moves very well for a player of 6-foot-5.5 and 320 pounds. He can block multiple defenders on the same play, and has the speed to move downfield and keep up with the action when necessary. Greene was a key part of the Mater Dei offense that took down top-10 teams St. Thomas Aquinas and Bishop Gorman.

Offensive Lineman: Immanuel Iheanacho, Sr., Georgetown Preparatory (North Bethesda, Md.)

When watching Immanuel Iheanacho, it seems more often than not the 6-foot-6.5, 345-pound IOL either puts the defensive lineman several yards away from where the DL wants to be or puts him on the ground. He’s adept at running downfield to trail and play, and he provides additional blocking as well.

Kicker: Harran Zureikat, Sr., Fox Chapel Area (Pittsburgh, Pa.)

With an argument as the most talented kicker in high school football, Harran Zureikat broke the Western Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic League record with a 57-yard field goal, and though it doesn’t count, he hit the crossbar from 65 yards out. He had 32 touchbacks on 24 kickoffs and also handled punting duties.

Second Team Defense

Defensive Lineman: Carter Buck, Sr., Lake Travis (Austin, Texas)

Carter Buck’s 66 solo tackles (and 19 assisted), 36 tackles for loss and 22 sacks, plus three forced fumbles and an interception, helped lead a Lake Travis team that went undefeated through 14 games before falling in the semifinals to eventual champion North Shore (Houston, Texas). He had five tackles and 3.5 sacks in the quarterfinals win.

Defensive Lineman: Jordan Carter, Sr., Douglas County (Ga.)

Jordan Carter had 47 solo and 35 assisted tackles, 23 tackles for loss and 18 sacks for a very good Douglas County team. He showed up against elite talent — in three total games against No. 1 Buford and No. 4 Carrollton, he combined for 26 tackles, seven tackles for loss, and five sacks.

Defensive Lineman: Aaden Aytch, Sr., Lafayette Jefferson (Ind.)

Fluid and speedy off the edge, Aaden Aytch put together an excellent season, racking up 70 solo tackles, 42 assisted tackles, 33.5 tackles for loss, 19.5 sacks, 32 hurries and six forced fumbles. He helped Lafayette Jefferson go 10-2 and led the state of Indiana in sacks, according to the Journal & Courier.

Defensive Lineman: Prince Williams, Sr., Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas, Nev.)

An incredibly productive player since his sophomore year, Prince Williams put up career-best numbers as a senior with 75 solo tackles (16 assisted), 44 tackles for loss, 13 sacks and three forced fumbles. He uses his speed to his advantage to beat offensive linemen around the edge, and was an important part of No. 2 Bishop Gorman’s 11-1 championship season.

Linebacker: Xavier Griffin, Sr., Gainesville (Ga.)

While Griffin is very adept at rushing the passer and getting into the backfield, his role is often to man the middle, combining patience and explosiveness. He had 67 solo tackles, 29 assisted, 12 tackles for loss and four sacks, along with an interception, for 12-3 Gainesville.

Linebacker: Anthony Jones, Sr., St. Paul’s Episcopal (Mobile, Ala.)

Playing from OLB and EDGE — and getting some snaps on offense out of the wildcat formation and at receiver — Anthony “Tank” Jones was one of the more versatile linemen in high school football. With the speed Jones has at his size, he was a menace during the season and projects to continue this at Oregon.

Linebacker: Roman Igwebuike, Jr., Mount Carmel (Chicago)

Roman Igwebuike was key for an excellent Mount Carmel squad, a team that went undefeated and allowed 17.4 points per game. The four-star junior recorded 115 total tackles, 13.5 tackles for loss, seven sacks, a pair of interceptions and three forced fumbles.

Linebacker: Jalaythan Mayfield, Jr., Lincolnton (N.C.)

Jalaythan Mayfield took care of business without assistance, recording 125 solo tackles with 27 assisted, according to MaxPreps. This, with six forced fumbles, six sacks, and 26 tackles for loss, showcased his skill set as one of the toughest linebackers in high school.

Cornerback: Jorden Edmonds, Sr., Sprayberry (Marietta, Ga.)

With five interceptions, 28 solo tackles (eight assisted), three tackles for loss and a forced fumble, Jorden Edmonds was one of the top defensive backs in high school football. He also scored nine touchdowns on offense.

Safety: Jett Washington, Sr., Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas, Nev.)

The No. 1-ranked safety on 247Sports, Jett Washington had 48 total tackles, four interceptions — including a pick-six — and two forced fumbles this season.

Flex: Ayden Pouncey, Senior, Winter Park (Fla.)

Ayden Pouncey intercepted seven passes, which is impressive in its own right. He returned five of them for touchdowns, an absurd figure. In total, he had 16 touchdowns on the year, with nine on offense and a punt and a kick return each.

Punter: Wade Register, Sr., Trinity Christian (Dublin, Ga.)

The No. 2-ranked punter on Kohl’s, Wade Register averaged 46.8 yards per punt and placed 12 of them inside the 20-yard line.

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Senate races to avoid government shutdown with time ticking and lingering issues

The Senate will return to a fast-approaching government funding deadline, but this time both sides appear ready to avoid another shutdown.

When lawmakers in the upper chamber return Monday, they will have three working weeks to fund the government. That process fizzled out before they left town earlier in December, but lawmakers are hopeful that both parties can come together to ward off a repeat of September’s funding deadline.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., told reporters before leaving the Capitol that Democrats’ goal was to have the remaining slate of appropriations bills completed by the Jan. 30 deadline. It takes 12 spending bills to fund the government, and so far, neither chamber has come close to hitting that mark.

‘We want to get through the process and get the appropriations bills done,’ Schumer said.

It’s a stark departure from his and Democrats’ earlier position, given that they shut the government down for a record 43 days in a bid to bring expiring Obamacare subsidies to the forefront of discussions.

Congressional Democrats also have been leery of working with their Republican counterparts after President Donald Trump’s roughly $9 billion clawback package, which cut funding to already agreed-to programs and priorities, passed on a partisan vote over the summer.

A similar issue played out just as the Senate was on the cusp of advancing a five-bill spending package before skipping town.

Sens. Michael Bennet, D-Colo., and John Hickenlooper, D-Colo., held up the process over the Trump administration’s plan to dismantle the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) in Boulder, Colorado. 

Office of Management and Budget Director Russ Vought had just announced that same day that the facility would be put under a microscope, and charged that the NCAR was ‘one of the largest sources of climate alarmism in the country.’

For now, the duo appear entrenched in their position.

‘This holiday season, hundreds of NCAR employees face uncertainty about their jobs and communities across the state are worried they won’t get the support they need to rebuild their lives after historic flooding and wildfires,’ Bennett said in a statement. ‘Colorado deserves better, and I am doing everything in my power to fight back and protect our state from the President’s vindictive chaos.’

There’s also the issue of dealing with the Obamacare subsidies, which will have expired by the time lawmakers return to Washington, D.C. A group of bipartisan senators are working on a possible solution, and there are plans in the House — one from the GOP that already passed and another bipartisan effort that is expected to get a vote early January — that could make their way onto the Senate floor.

And Congressional Democrats are likely to use the healthcare issue as leverage during the impending spending fight.

Exactly how lawmakers avoid another shutdown is still in the air. The Senate is determined to advance its five bill package, which includes legislation to fund the departments of Defense, Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, Commerce, Justice, Interior, Transportation, and Housing and Urban Development.

But in order for those bills to make it to Trump’s desk, the House has to agree. So far, the lower chamber has only passed a handful of spending bills, and has not brought any appropriations bills to the floor for months.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., already is gaming out a ‘a contingency plan.’

‘We got to fund the government by the end of the month,’ Thune said. ‘And so we’re looking at, you know, determining what that looks like, obviously, if we can pass the five bill package, and if we can’t, then what that looks like.’

‘So there’s a lot of thought being given and just to make sure that we don’t end up in a, you know, posture at the end of the month where we’re looking at, staring at a shutdown again,’ he continued.

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Tatiana Schlossberg, JFK’s granddaughter, dies at 35 after year-and-a-half leukemia battle

Tatiana Schlossberg, the environmental journalist and author who was the granddaughter of former President John F. Kennedy, has died at the age of 35, her family announced.

‘Our beautiful Tatiana passed away this morning. She will always be in our hearts,’ the family said in a statement shared via the JFK Library Foundation’s Instagram account Tuesday.

Born and raised in New York City, Schlossberg was the daughter of Caroline Kennedy and the granddaughter of Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis and the former president.

She built a career as a voice on climate and environmental issues. In 2023, Schlossberg was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia and after she had given birth to her second child.

Schlossberg shared her experience publicly in a personal essay for The New Yorker in November 2025.

‘My parents and my brother and sister, too, have been raising my children and sitting in my various hospital rooms almost every day for the last year and a half,’ she wrote at the time.

This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.

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Sen Jim Justice says Republicans are ‘lousy’ at knowing what everyday Americans think about healthcare

Sen. Jim Justice, R-W.V., believed that Republicans had accomplished numerous feats in 2025, but he and his party had fallen woefully short of truly understanding what the everyday American thinks.

‘We, as Republicans, and I have said this so many times, we’re lousy,’ Justice told Fox News Digital. ‘We’re great at doing the good things, but we’re lousy at really knowing what Toby and Edith are thinking. And that causes a lot of problems.’

‘Toby’ and ‘Edith’ are the names Justice gives to the average voter, a group he said that he knows well from his time as West Virginia’s governor for eight years before joining the Senate after scoring an easy victory in the 2024 election.

Justice’s frustration came as Congress was readying to leave Washington, D.C., until the new year. Lawmakers had failed to tackle one last remaining issue after scores of legislative victories in the upper chamber: extending, or replacing, expiring Obamacare premium subsidies.

Those tax credits are set to lapse Wednesday, and tens of millions of Americans will see their out-of-pocket costs for healthcare double, triple and in some cases skyrocket by more than 300%.

Justice said that, as governor, there was understanding the credits would expire, given that Democrats under former President Joe Biden both enhanced the subsidies and set an expiration date for the end of the year. 

But to Toby and Edith, the political machinations and fights that dominated the latter part of the year mattered little. It’s the end result that they’re paying attention to, Justice said.

‘They’re thinking, ‘Well, you know, I know [former President Barack] Obama started all this stuff, and I know it didn’t work, and everything, but the Republicans are pretty much in charge right now,’’ Justice said. ‘‘So, you know, if they’re in charge, why don’t they fix it?’’

Effectively, he said, the extra money that people had to work with thanks to the subsidies would vanish, putting families and the Tobys and Ediths in the country under more financial strain.

‘That’s how they think, you know,’ Justice said. ‘And so what I would say to you is, if Republicans aren’t concerned about that, they’re making a bad move on the chessboard.’

What a fix could look like is in the air, for now. Senate Republicans’ plan to convert the subsidies into health savings accounts failed. So did Senate Democrats’ push for a three-year extension.

There are options bubbling from the House, including the GOP’s package that doesn’t address the subsidies, and a bipartisan plan that, similar to Senate Democrats’ proposal, would extend the subsidies for three years. The latter is expected to get a vote in early January.

Justice lauded President Donald Trump and Republicans’ work throughout the year, arguing that the GOP trifecta had ‘almost pitched nine perfect games,’ but the healthcare issue was one that would sting, politically and on the ground.

‘I think just an extension doesn’t work,’ Justice said. ‘We need to fix it. We need to fix it all. And I think that’s what President Trump is really trying to do. He’s trying to get the money in their hands, instead of the money to insurance companies. All that’s great and everything, but I’m telling you, our messaging is, as Republicans, is not great in my book.’

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Anti-Iran regime protests grow across country as Trump admin boosts demonstrators offering support

Protests spread across Iran on Tuesday after President Donald Trump and other administration officials voiced support for demonstrators. Speaking Monday, Trump pointed to Iran’s economic collapse and long-standing public discontent while stopping short of calling for regime change.

Inside Iran, demonstrations entered a third consecutive day, expanding beyond the capital’s commercial center. The exiled opposition coalition National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI) reported widespread strikes and student protests across Tehran and multiple provincial cities, describing clashes with security forces and anti-government chants. A video obtained by the NCRI appears to show protesters pushing back security forces, forcing them to leave the scene on Tehran’s Jomhouri Street. 

Iran International reported that universities emerged as major protest hubs, with rallies at Tehran University, Sharif University of Technology, Shahid Beheshti University, Elm-o-Sanat University and Khajeh Nasir University. Security forces tightened entry controls at campuses and reinforced offices linked to Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.

Anti-regime protests continue in Iran

Strikes spread across Tehran’s Shoush and Molavi districts and into Isfahan’s Naqsh-e Jahan Square, while parts of Tehran’s Grand Bazaar and the gold market shut down. Mobile phone traders gathered outside major shopping centers after closing their stores. Protests turned violent in several locations, with tear gas fired in Tehran and Malard and reports of live fire in Hamadan. Nighttime demonstrations were reported from Qeshm Island in the south to Zanjan and Hamadan in the north, with videos showing chants of ‘death to the dictator.’

Speaking at a press conference at Mar-a-Lago on Monday, Trump said he was ‘not going to talk about overthrow of a regime.’ Instead, he focused on Iran’s deteriorating economy and the state’s violent response to protests. ‘They’ve got tremendous inflation. Their economy is busted, the economy is no good,’ Trump said. 

He said that when Iranians gather to protest, the regime responds with lethal force.

‘Every time they have a riot or somebody forms a group, little or big, they start shooting people,’ Trump said. ‘You know, they kill people. All of a sudden people start getting shot and that group disbanded pretty quickly.’

Trump said he has watched the unrest build for years, describing Iran’s leadership as brutal.

‘I’ve watched this for years — there is tremendous discontent,’ he said. ‘I’ve watched it for years, and vicious, vicious people.’ His remarks came as protests intensified following the collapse of Iran’s currency to historic lows. The rial fell to roughly 1.45 million per U.S. dollar on the open market, triggering strikes and demonstrations centered on Tehran’s Grand Bazaar and spreading to other major cities, according to Iran International’s live reporting. Videos and eyewitness accounts described heavy security deployments, clashes with demonstrators and the use of tear gas as unrest widened.

U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz issued a direct message of support. ‘The people of Iran want freedom,’ Waltz wrote on X. ‘We stand with Iranians in the streets of Tehran and across the country as they protest a radical regime that has brought them nothing but economic downturn and war.’ 

A parallel statement from the U.S. government’s Persian-language account, @USAbehFarsi, said Washington supports the Iranian people’s efforts ‘to make their voices heard,’ urging the Islamic Republic to respect fundamental rights rather than suppress protests.

Iranian officials acknowledged the unrest but defended the government’s approach. Reuters reported that government spokeswoman Fatemeh Mohajerani said Tehran recognizes protests and that officials would set up a mechanism to engage with protest leaders. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian directed his interior minister to address protesters’ ‘legitimate demands’ and engage in dialogue with their representatives.

Independent analysts warned the unrest reflects deeper structural strains. The OSINT research group SpecialEurasia said in an assessment on Tuesday that Iran’s internal stability has reached a ‘critical threshold,’ citing the convergence of currency collapse, renewed international sanctions and chronic water and energy shortages. The group noted that the participation of bazaar merchants, traditionally a pillar of regime support, signals declining confidence in the state’s economic management and raises the risk of prolonged unrest.

NCRI leader Maryam Rajavi said the protests reflect the anger of ‘tens of millions’ driven to the breaking point by inflation, corruption and clerical rule. NCRI’s claims reflect opposition reporting and cannot be independently verified due to restrictions on access inside Iran.

Cameron Khansarinia, vice president of the National Union for Democracy in Iran, said the latest demonstrations underscore a growing shift in public sentiment. ‘Iranians have once again taken to the streets.’ Citing President Donald Trump’s remarks this week, he added that ‘each time they do, the regime tries to crush it,’ but argued that ‘Iranians’ desire to be free is increasingly becoming greater than their fear of the regime.’ Khansarinia claimed that chants in support of Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi have been growing in the protests, saying the protesters showed ‘remarkable bravery.’ 

As protests continue, verification of casualties and arrests remains limited, but the scale and spread of the unrest underscore mounting pressure on Iran’s leadership amid economic free fall and growing public defiance.

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